Power in your words

What would it be like to speak and 3000 people come to Christ? It's only happened to me a couple of times, ok, maybe just once. Alright, never has happened. But what would it be like? I read of Peter speaking to the crowds and thousands placing their faith in Christ at one time. How? Two things I notice.

• First, His message is about the risen Christ. When you read his message to the people in Acts, the only thing he speaks of is Christ. Chosen, Crucified, Risen. Except for the brief, "You guys are the ones who chose a thief to be released instead of Jesus!" That's the message that sometimes would bring in a crowd, but it also got Stephen stoned!
  
• The next thing I notice is the power of the Holy Spirit. There is a power to his words that is beyond himself. Only the Spirit of God can draw people like that. I long for God to use me in a way that when I speak, people come to Christ.
  

We studied the life of Christ in our youth group all of last year. We had some neat stuff happen but nothing like that. Why is that? I understand that this was the beginning of the church and maybe God poured out His Spirit in a unique way. But why wouldn't He want to do that now. Maybe He does. These disciples had just spent several days together in prayer. When was the last time that I spent extended time with God, expecting him to do something miraculous? Jesus promised the disciples that they would receive a gift from God. They were waiting expectantly for God to move and He did.

May God do some of these same things today. Would you be willing to put the time in praying and seeking? Most of the time I don't' know if I would. I want it easy. Not everything is like that, some things take time and work.